Automatic rifle



G. C. WATSGN.

l AUTOMATIC RIFLE. APPLICATION FILED APE.26. 191B. y 1,377,236 Patented May 1lb., 192i.

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ra ma G. C. WATSON.

. AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

APPLICATION' FILED APR. 2e. I9I.

Patented. May 10, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

www. H. l

G. C. WATSON.

, AUTOMATICRIFLE.

APPLICATION FILED APZG, |918. l 1,377,236, Patented May 10,1921.

SHEEl'S-SHEET 3.

QJM.

G. C. WATSON.

AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.26. 1918. I ,377,236. Patented May 10, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

GLENN C. WATSON, F CLVELAND, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented May 1o, 1921.

'Application led April 26, 1918. Serial No. 230,970.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GLENN C. WA'rsoN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at 337 Superior ave. N. W., city of Cleveland, in the coiinty of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in .Automatic Riies, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein eX- plained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it lfrom other inventions.

My invention pertains to an automatic rifle and more particularly to a firearm 0f this character which may be classed as a small arm in the sense that it is designed to be compact and light enough to be carried by one man. Indeed, compactness, durability and lightness in weight are the particularobjects which I have had in mind.

Since a gunof this type is notto be cumbersome in size, shape and'weight it cannot well be adapted either to the use in conjuction therewith ofa cartridge belt nor of a magazine otherwise constructed to hold 'a very considerable number of cartridges and involve extreme projections from the stock. In line with this assumption I have resorted to the sporting model type of magazine extending underneath the barrel.

Besides the general purposes already stated to be comprehended by my improvement I now declare the following features:

A plurality of magazine tubes which progresslvely diverge in a direction from the muzzlev toward the breech and so as to gradually approach and eventually assume a circumferential relationship at a oint where they are to come in line or register with a corresponding number of chambers in a revolving cylinder, which latter is in turn so I positioned that all of .its chambers may successively register behind the barrel.

Automatic actuation on the gas operating principle.

While desirable to have the magazine ktubes as close together as possible it is necessary to have t em other than parallel so that the pointed bullets do not bear against the percussion heads of the following cartridges respectively.

Adverting to the drawings:

Figure I is a vertical section of an automatic rifle embodying my invention showing the butt of the stock broken away andthe parts in position just at the time of firing to the breech mechanism portion of Fig. i

Fig. III is a ,planl with thetop of the recelver removed. l

Flgs. IV, V, VI and VII are Vertical sections on the corresponding section lines as shown in Fig. II and all looking in .the direction of the muzzle as directed by the indlcatin arrows.

Fig. III is a view corresponding to a major portion of Fig. II showing the position of the parts at the other Ilimit of their movement.

Fig. IX is a similar view showing an intermediate position of the parts toward the firing ggsition of Figs. I and II. v

' Fig. is a vertical section on line X-X of Fig. II, likewise looking toward the muzzle.;

Fi XI is a vertical section on line XI- I of FigmI. y

' Fig. lXII is an enlarged broken view main y in vertical section ofthe muzzle end of the magazine when filled.

Fig. X'IIIis a view like Fig. XII showing the altered relation of vcertain lparts when the magazines are empty preparatory to beingreilled. i

Fig. IV isaJ horizontal section of a portion of Fi XIII. A

Fig. X is a vertical sectionfionv line XV-XV of Figs. I" and XIII looking toward the breech. l

' Fig. XVI is a detail section on `line XVI-XVI of Fig. XIII. Fig. XVII is an enlarged showing one end of a certain detail..

Fig. XVIII is a plan' section on lines XVIII- XVIII of Fig. XIX.

perspective view l Fi XIX is a vertical section `on line" XI -XIX of Fig. II.

The main supporting parts comprise the i broken portion of the stock l, a hollow re-v i ceiver 2, a barrel 3 and a hand gripping stock extension 4. i y

Magazine structure.

other and in fact in such a way that nearest the muzzle they are as closely bunched together as possible and that the gradually 'divaricate in va direction towar the breech to a circumferential arrangement, indeed, to an arrangement whereby they are disposed contiguous to each other on the arc of a circle which would be completed by the addition of three others of like size. YIn other words, as may be perceivedupon an inspection of Fig. X, the four tubes there shown, together with the barrel also seen, are`.all concentrically arranged though spaces for the accommodation of two additional tubes are provided on each side ofthe barrel. The purpose in having the four magazine tubes 5 not parallel to each other, and none conforming to a straight line, is to break the alinement of the cartridges which are'to lbe carried therein so that the pointed bullet noses will be unable to center against the heads of the abutting cartridges'respectively and therefore to avoid the possibilityof a sudden jolt firing one or more thereof. The pur ose of the circumferential disposition of t e rear ends of the magazine will hereinafter appear. The other ends of the four magazines which are contiguous to each other terminate in open extremities some distance from the muzzle'. Spaced a distance4 from` such extremities, somewhat in excess of the length of the cartridges with which the magazines 5 are to be charged', are.

four similar tubes 6 which are, however, parallel to each other and in axial alinement to the near ends of the tubes 5 respectively. The ends of the tubes 6 which are nearest the muzzle arevclosed by a cap'7. A corresponding number, namely fourhollow plungers 8 are adapted to have telescopic connection with the tubes 6 and'also with thetubes 5.

zle by a suitable handle 11 which is securedto the rods. The plungers 8 and therefore the rods 9 are normally pressed in a direction toward the breech by means offour internal compression springs 12 which bear' against the solid ends-13 of the plungers l8.

This generalprinciple of exerting pressure against the cartridges in a magazine so asl to continually tend to move them toward the Vbreech is, I

am aware, not new to the art and may be readily understood. As, each magazine is emptied its plunger 8 nl ,OVeS tQ- Y ward the breech end of the tubes\` 5 whereby individual cartridges ma the magazines as require The portion of the magazine structure 14 which is located between the tubes 5 and the tubes 6, preferably exceeds in length that of the cartridge forV which the gun is designed, and is provided interiorly on each side with spring fingers l5 which normally extend diagonally toward the muzzle and toward the middle of the structure as may be seen iu Fig. XIV. In such positioneach of -the lingers 15 intersects the path of movement of the two plungers 8'which are on the same side and vwhile they are adapted to ield when the plungers are drawn towar the muzzle they will spring inwardly after the extremities of the plungers 8 have passed and thereafter serve to hold them against the action of the springs 12 as is shown in Figs. XIII and XIV. The underside of the structure 14;i is provided with a sliding door 16 carrying a knob 17 by means of which it vmay be slid open to permit the insertion into the tube 5 of the charge of cartridges.v Projecting upwardly from the door 16 on each side of the handle end are a pair of pins 18 adapted to ride over andl spread apart the fingers 15'when the door again assumes its closed position, whereupon the plungers 8 are released and allowed to bear against the rows-of cartridges respectively within the tubes 5. It will vbe noticedupon inspec- 4tion of Fig. XV that the ends of the tubes 5, through which they are charged, are as close together as possible and that they also progressively divaricate in a direction toward the breech as may be seen inthe sectional views represented by Figs. XI and X in the order stated. By the time they have reached the point atvwhich Fig. X is sectioned the tubes 5 have assumed a circumferential arrangement and occupy the four lowermost positions of a circle which would be completedv by seven tubes of equal size.

Gas actuated motor.

Automatic guns have been operated on two successful principles, one of which was to utilize the pressure of the discharged gases, and it is this principle which I have preferred to employ in the exemplification of the drawings in this application. Directing attention to .FigsfI and XI it will be seen that a small duct 19 communicates with the bore of the barrel 3 and4 passin downwardly through the extension 4 an between the tubes 5 terminates in one end of a transversely directed larger duct 20 provided. at its other end with a closure 21 through which a piston rod 22 extends. Interiorly of the duct 20 the rod 22 carries a piston 23, while surrounding the piston and interposed between the latter and the lclosure 21 is a compression spring 24. It will be be shoved from .Interiorly between the sides of the receiver 2 and near the end of the latter which 1s nearest the tubes 5, a hollow structure 2'5 is supported. Pivoted upon a pin 26 which is about centrally located with reference to the structure 25 is a revolving cylinder 27 discharge. It isalso to be understood that j the revolublemovement of the cylinder 27 1s .to be eected intermittently in accordance with well known practice so as to successively bring its vchambers in registering.

alinement with the barrel3- preparatory to the forcing of the cartridges from sudh chambers into the barrel.

Automatic coatrolvmechwnism.

The rearward projecting end of the piston rod 22 carries a pin 35, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described and beyond the latter carries a rigid extension bar 36 provided on one .side with rack teeth 37 ,adapted to engage a pinion 38 mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 39 which is in turn mounted in a suitable A.bearing'40 which Yis formed in a boss projecting interiorly from the receiver side 2 as may be seenin Fig. V. The upper end of the shaft provided with seven radial projections 28 extending therealong so as to provide seven interjacent open chambers-29 each of whichis designed to accommodate a single cartridge during revoluble movement of 'the cylinder 27 within the structure 25. The exposed or rear'end'of the cylinder 27 is provided with the usual circular ratchet 30 best 'seen inFigs. II and VI. The sides of the `the cartridges after-their discharge in and ejection from the barrel. In Fig. VII it will be seen that the receiver 2 is provided D with a suitable discharge opening 34 through which the discharged cartridges are successively thrown after being properly directed toward the same by the guide 32 by. being caused to ride on the guides 32 and be lifted each out of its chamber until actually ejected by the tip of the downcoming projection 28. It should be understood that the disposition of the cylinder 27 is such that its four lowermost chambers 29 may correspond in position and register with the proximate ends of the tubes 5 as they appear in Fig. X. By this arrangement each of the tubes 5 is adapted to discharge cartridges one at a time into one or the other of the chambers 29 as it moves into registeringposition therewith, provided it is empty. It is manifest that one of the magazines 5 will first discharge the cartridges contained therein by forcing one at a time into the seven chambers 29 as they successively come into position and only after that one is discharged will another, next in Order? be able to ominento so A39 carries" a bevel pinion 41 in mesh with a bevel gear 42 which is loosely mounted on a stud, shaft 43 extendingly horizontally through abracket 44. The periphery of the bevel gear 42 is provided with a single tooth 45 -adapted to be Aengaged by a pawl 46 which is pivoted to a ratchet disk 47 integral or fixed to the shaft 43. This disk carries a spring -48 adapted to bear against the pawl 46v so as'to insure its engagement with the tooth 45 as may be seen in Flgs. II and VIII. The ratchet disk 47 is likewise provided with a single tooth 49 the coperative function of which will soon appear. It is clear that as the rack 36 moves rearwardly in response to the compression action of. the discharge gases 'against the piston 23 is will act to r0- tate the bevel gear 42 forwardly, that is so' Fig. `VIII it engages and lifts a correspondl ingly beveled lower end 51 of a vertically reciprocable lifting pin movable in a bearing 52. The elevation of the pin 51 is counter to thev action of a -spring 53 interposed between the bearing 52 and a suitable collar 54. Articulating at 55 with the upper end of the pin 51 is a releasing lever 56 having a fixed fulcrum 57 in an integral boss 58 projecting-from the side of the receiver 2 as is shown in Fig. III.v The other end of the releasing lever 59 actsas a stop, for the tooth 49 to hinder the rotary movement of the disk 47, until lifted along with the pin 51 'to the position shown in Fig. .VIII which is just prior to the commencement of the return of the rack member 37.

Aalso ixed to 'the shaft 43 on the opposite Side of the bearing support from that on is@v which the gear 42 is loosely mountedand the ratchet disk is fixed, is a crank 60 the relative position of which m'ay be seen in .F ig. V and two diametricallyk opposite positions of which are shown in Figs. VIII and IX. The end of the crank.60 articulates at 61v with one end of a link 62, the other end of which in turn articulates at 63 with a reciprocable breach bolt structure 64: the under surface of the rear end of which is adapted to reciprocate upon a longitudinal slideway support 65 which is about in the middle of the receiver 2. The forward end'of the structure 64 is hollow and carries av hollow breech vbolt 66 in line with the bar-v rel 3 so as to be adapted to shove the upperv most of the cartridges in the cylinder 27 out of its'chamber and into the barrel in whi-ch vrel in order to discharge the same.

position such cartridge is engaged by a hook 67 onv the *forwardA extremity of a spring extractor 68 secured tothe structure 64 so that when 'the latter is withdrawn the cart-ridge which has been dischargedislikewise removed to re-occupy its position in the cylinder preparatory to being turned.

toward the opening 34. The bore 69 of the bolt 66 is occupied by a firing rod 70 adapted' for axial movement therethrough. The forward end of the rod 70 carries a firing pin 7l adapted to be projected, as will hereinafter be explained, against the head of the cartridge which has been inserted in thesbai;

uc forward propulsion of the firing pin 71 is against the actionof a spring 72 suitably seated therearound in any approved manner well known to the art. The rear end of the rod is fashioned with a lateral extension 7 3 as may be clearly seen in Fig. III.

In order to effect the intermittent revolution of the cylinder 27 'I provide a rather long lever 74 having one end pivoted at 75 and itsother end articulating at 76 with an upwardly extending arm 77 having its extremity fashioned with a hook 78 adapted in response to the pressure exerted by a spring 79 to bear against the rear end 4of `the cylinder 27 and spring into position over one of the teeth of the ratchet 30. The arrangement is such that a slight downward actuation of lever 74 serves to pull the arm 77 a distance sufliient to revolve the cylinder 27 through one-seventh of arevolution. Upon a release of 'the power which actuated the lever 74 the latter is allowed to spring upwardly and cause the hook 78 to ride over the sloping undersurfaces of the next ratchet tooth and to spring into position thereover preparatory to a repetition of the operation just described.

A hammer 80 is pivoted below at 81 so that its upper end may impinge' against the lateral extension 73 of the firingrod. The

engageable relation of these two parts is4 well shown in Fig. III, The hammerv 80 is provided near its pivot 81 with a pin `82 upon which a spring finger 83 bears so matic fire-arms during warfare, that if such,

rifles continued to operate automatically as longvas pressure was applied to the trigger a great waste of ammunition would result because under the excitement of battle a great number of shots were fired regardless of direction owing to the fact that the im portant factor of taking proper aim had been entirely forgotten. I understand that till now the equipping of infantrylnen with automatic rifles has been condemned by almost all the Governments, not only because of the excessive weight of the automatic guns heretoforeproduced, but because even Waving such objection the probable wastageof ammunition would be enough to condemn its use.v By requiring therefore that the trigger must ybe separately pulled with eachdischar e of the rifle a sufficient time interval is av ordedv and mental process required to remind the soldier to aim prior to each shot. The trigger 84 is pivoted intermediately of its ends at 85. Itsupper extension 86 articulates interiorly at 87 with a bar 88 carryinga 'collar 89 and having its other cylindrical end 90 reciprocable 1n a suitable bore 91 formed in the receiver 2 as appears in Fig. II. Surrounding a portion of the end 90 and interposed between that portionof the receiver 2 which surrounds such bore 91 and the collar 89 is a coil spring 92 adapted to resist the forward actuation of the bar 88 in response to a pull upon the trigger 84. Pivoted at 93 to the bar 88 is a catch 94 adapted to lock with a complementarily surfaced projection 95 on the rear of the hammer 80. Also pivoted to the bar 88 at 96 is another catch 97 adapted to seat -ainderneath a projection 98 on the forward 'are designed to limit the movement of the catches 94 and 97 toward each other.

To effect the manual operation of all of the breech mechanism a lever 103 shaped geraete to act as a trigger guard is provided in a manner also common to theart. This lever is pivoted at 104 and has an inward extension 105` articulating at 106 with a link 107 provided with an elongated slot 108 1n i which the plunger pin is secured. It will be observed from the position of the parts shown in F ig. TT that an downward actuation of the lever 103 wil raise the link 107 and at the, same time draw it rearwardly so as to exert a pull upon the pin 35 and therefore move the bar 36 rearwardly in the same manner inl which it is so moved automatically by the pressure of the discharge gases heretofore described. A. tipping member 109 is seated ina roove in the bottom of each cartridge cham er 29 in the revolving cylinder 27. This member ispivotally mounted at 110 in' the c linder. The forward part of 109 is rigid an is provided with a smooth surface at its extreme point 111. The rear part of the member 109 consists of a spring member 112 which tends to deflect the nose 111 toward the axis of the cylinder, until a shell is placed into the pocket. When this happens the rear 112 of the tongue 109 is depressed thus tipping the front 111 upward and into the c1rcle in which the rearmost' one of the shells in the magazine chambers lie. Thus 111 intersects the path of movement of the feeding cartridges when the -chamber 29 is occupied and serves to hold back the foremost cartridge in the reserve magazine.v lThe movement of the front point 111 is suitabl limited when it is forced outwardl This yregulatesthe distance through which the point 111 is moved outwardly and thus insuresa` smooth circle against which the heads of the cartridges abut. Each pocket is formed with circumferential projections 113 which together with the points 111 make a complete smooth circle without interruptions when the points 111 are thrown outwardly.

The two possible relative positions as between the ends of the shells and the points 111, that is,-with a pocket empty and occupied is clearly shown in Fig. XVTTT.

Operation.

The first step preparatory to the operation may be considered as the loading of the The sliding door 16 is first opened by moving the handle 17 in a direction toward the breech. This causes the pins 18 to be carried away from the spring fingers 15 so that the latterare released and spring inwardly to their functionating position. Thereafter, the slide rods 9 are pulled out by means of the handle 11 until the webs 10 engage the ends of the plungers 8 whereupon continued withdrawaitoward the muzzle carries such plungers in the same direction against the action oi" the springs 12 until the iingers 15 spring into place ahead of the end of the plungers to fix them durin the insertion of cartridges from below. fter all four of the magazines have been fully charged the door 16-is shoved to its closed positlon which automatically spreads the iinthem to exert pressure against the rows vof cartridges in the magazines as shown in Fig. X11. The rods 9 may then be slid in again or if preferred they may reassume such position, as appears in either Fig. X or XI, as soon. as the plungers 8 have been carried beyond to be held bythe spring fingers 15 and before the door 16 is closed. As the maga-- zines are illed the vlfour lowermost of the chambers 29 in the cylinder 27 are each supplied with one cartridge. Thereafter, prior to any automatic operation of the mechanism, in response to the discharge of a cartridge, it becomes necessary to twice actuate cylinder 27 through one-seventh of a revolution and thus advance the nearest of the four lled chambers, with reference to the direction of movement, to a position in line with the barrel from whence it is shoved into the same. According to the drawings the chamber which is farthest to the left of the four lowermost, as shown in Figs. VI and VII, is moved-upwardly and lirst brought into registry with the barrel. In the meantime the magazine farthest to the right in the arrangement shown in "Fig, X will have twice supplied a cartridge to the two chambers in the cylinder which were empty and which successively moved into position therebehind.

'lt will be perceived therefore that each of the four magazines isv entirely emptied in advance of any discharge of cartridges from the one next in order. When the lever 103 is drawn downwardly it throwsits extension 105 upwardly and in consequence draws the link 107 and therefore the p1ston rod 22 rearwardly against the action of the compression spring 24. Coincident with this movement the bar 36 is moved rearwardly and its rack teeth act' to turn the pinion 38.` This rotational movement is transmitted to the shaft 39,Y to `the bevel pinion 41 and thence to the bevel gear 42.v inasmuch as the gear 42 is loose upon its shaft such rotational soon as the lever 103 is reverse actuated and the bar 36 starts vits return movement the single radially projecting toothfl on the gear 12 engages the pawl 46 as may be seen in Fig. V111. 'ln consequence the reverse rotation carries the ratchet disk 47 in the gers 15 and releases the plungers Sand allows same direction` and accordingly rotates the shaft 43 likewise. The arrangement of the parts is such that the rotation of the disk 47 commences 'ust a moment prior to the' release of the p1n 51 so that the tip 59 of the releasing lever 56 thereafter rides idly upon the periphery of the disk. The ratio of the gearing is furthermore such that the gear 42 and disk 47 complete exactly one revolution during the return movement of the bar 36. While the shaft 43 is making its first half revolution the crank 60 is carried from the position shown in Fig. VIII to its diametrically opposite position `as shown in Fig. IX and in completing such semi-circular travel it has drawn the breech bolt structure 64 to its rearmost position. At the time that it is just completing the half revolution, it will be noticed upon inspection of Fig. IX, that the tooth 49 impinges after the manner of a cam upon the upper surface of the lever' 74 to depress the same. Inasmuch as the point of such engagement is somewhat nearer the pivot 75 the movement of the free extremity of the lever 74l is somewhat multiplied and in fact to such van extent as to pull the arm 77 enough downwardlyl to turn the cylinder 27 through one-seventh of a revolution. During the other half turn of the shaft 43 and the complemental semi-circular swing. of the crank 60 the breech bolt 64 has been returned to its forward position and if.

there is a cartridge in the chamber which has just been brought into registering position with the barrel such cartridge ishshoved out ofthe chamber into the barrel. The end of s'uch movement has caused the spring hook 67 to spring over the head of the cartridge so as to enable the withdrawal of the latter from thebarrel when the breech bolt structure 64 is again moved rearwardly durin the next repetition of the operation. 1% should be understood that when the breech bolt 64 starts its rearward movement the lateral extension 73 on the rod 70 carries the. upper end of the hammer 80 back with it.

sufficient to enable the trigger catch 97 to slip under the projection 98 and thus hold the hammer in its cocked position as shown in Fig. IX.

Assuming now that the lever 103 has been vtwice,lmanipulated and that a cartridge is in the barrel with the trigger mechanism cocked as shown in Fig. IX, a pull upon the trigger 84 carries the trigger catch 97 free of the 4projection 98' and so allows the spring 83 to snap the hammer4 80 and cause it to strike the extension 73, whereupon the rod 70 and firing pin 71 are suddenly pushed' forwardly sufficient to cause the latter to impinge upon the percussion head of the cartridge. Simultaneously with the firing of the explosive charge in the cartridge a measure of the discharge gases exert a pressure within the duct 19 and against the piston 23 which is therefore suddenly projected rearwardly toeifect the idle rotation of the rotating mechanism heretofore described and to l1ft the lever municated to the rod 70 which causes the extension 73 to throw the hammer 80 back far enough to be momentarily en aged b the safety catch 94 as illustrated 1n Fig. III

and prior to thev release of the ressure upon the trigger 84. When such re ease of pressure against the trigger 84 occurs the spring 9 2 returns the bar 88 and in so doing returns the trigger catch 97 to its position under the project1on 98 a moment before the safety catch 94 is 4simultaneously moved clear of the projection95 as shown in Fig. IX. The discharged cartridge in the meantime has reassumed its position in the uppermost of the cylinder chambers and when next moved to the right through its second one-seventh of a revo ution is lifted out of its chamber by the ejector guides 32 and allowed to fall out of the openmg 34 as should be readily understood upon inspection of Fig. VII.

I claim:

1. An automatic riiie comprisin a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, a cylin er having circularly arranged chambers land movably mounted in said receiver so as to be adapted to' bring its chambers successivel in line with said barrel, gas operated mec anism in said receiver for automatically loading, firing and ejecting and a plurality of magazines extending along the barrel and adaptedto supply cartridges to the chambers of said Structure, said magazines having one corresponding set of ends registerin with a like number Vof the chambers in sald cylinder and converging in a direction toward their opposite ends. l L

2. An automatic rifie comprisin a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, a cylin er having circularly arranged chambers and movably mounted in said receiver so as to be adapted to bring itsChambers successively in line with said barrel, gas operated mechanism in said block for automatically loading, firing and ejecting and a plurality of magazines extending along the barrel and adapted to supply cartridges to the chambers of said structure, said magazines havingifone` rel and adapted to discharge cartridges into correspondingly assumed vpositions of a corresponding member of said chambers respectively and means for forcing cartridges from each magazine, the bent formation'of said magazines being adapted to break the aiinement of the cartridges therein so that the pointed bullet noses will not center against the heads of abutting cartrid es.

ll. An automatic rifle comprising, a arrel,

a stock, a hollow receiver, mechanism within said receiver for loading, firing and ejecting cartridges, said mechanism including; a movable cartridge carrier adapted successively to bring cartridges in line with said barrel, a breech bolt for shoving said alined cartridge into the barrel, a firing in adapted to impinge against the cartri ge in the barrel, a part upon said breech bolt for withdrawing a cartridge from the barrel to said carrier, a slideway in said receiver, a member reciprocable upon said slideway and connected with said bolt, a shaft,'a crank upon said shaft and, connected with said member, gas-pressure operated means operatively connected with said crank, and an automatically operating device for obstructing the actuation of said shaft during a certain stage of the movement of said operating means.

5. An automatic rifle comprising, a barrel, astock, a hollow receiver, mechanism witnin said structure for loading and ejecting cartridges, said mechanism including; a

movable cartridge carrier adapted successively to brin cartridges in linev with said barrel, a breec bolt Jfor shoving such alined cartridge into the barrel, a part upon said member for withdrawing the cartridge from the barrel unto said carrier, a spring controlled rotatable structure idly actuated in one direction in response to the pressure of the discharged gases and means operatively connecting said bolt and structure during its spring actuated movement in the opposite direction. ff

' 6. An automatic ride comprising, a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, mechanism within said structure for loading, iringand ejecting cartridges, said mechanism including; a movable cartridge carrier adapted successively to bring cartridges in line with said barrel, a member for shoving such alined cartridge into Athe barrel, a ring pin adapted to impinge against the cartridge in the barrel, a art upon said member for withdrawing t ie cartridge from the barrel unto said carrier, an actuating member, a hammer adapted to move said firing pin, a trigger actuated bar, a pair of catches each. pivoted to said bar for successively holding said hammer in cocked position and a common spring acting to hold both of said catches in certain positions. '7.l An automatic ride comprising, a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, mechanism within said structure for loading, ring and ejecting cartridges, said mechanism including; a movable cartridge carrier adapted successively to bring cartridges in line with said barrel, aV member for shoving such alined'cartridge into the barrel, a firing `pin adapted to impinge against the cartridge in the barrel, a part upon said member for 'withdrawing the cartridge from the barrel unto said carrier, an actuatingl member, a hammer adapted to move said firing pin, a

pair of catches for engaging opposite sides .ofsaid hammer to vhold it in cocked position,

and a trigger device including a part movable in opposite directions and adapted to simultaneously move both of said catches.

8. Anautomatic rifie comprising, a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver formed with a slideway, a cylinder havingcartrid e chambers movable into line with said arrel, a

device lmovable upon said slidewa and adapted 4to shove a cartrid e into an v withdraw the same from said arrel,` an appliance-for intermittently imparting rotational movement to said cylinder, and mechanism including a shaft and part-s` simultaneously movable thereabout, said parts being adapted to actuate said device and appliance respectively.

9. An automatic rifle comprisin a barrel,

a hollow receiver formed with a horizontal said shaft for actuating said structure, and

a cam on said shaft for engaging said lever and actuating said appliance.

10. An automatic ride comprisingl a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, a magazine opening into the latter, a cylinder revoiubly mounted in said structure and having chambers adapted to come into registering aline-- ment with said-barrel and magazine, a cylinder actuating device, a raclr, a shaft, a projection carried by said shaft and adapted to actuate said device, means including gearing connecting said racir and projection, and a spring 'for actuatin said rack whereby intermittently to revo ve said cylinder.

11. An automatic rie comprising a barmounted in saidstructure and having chambers adapted to come into registering alinement with said barrel and magazinel and also having a'circular ratchet, lan actuating rack, land mechanism including gearingy op- .erativelyv connected with said rack, a hook engaging said. ratchet, a lever connected with said rhook, a shaft anda cam` member ythereon lfor moving said lever whereby to intermittently turn said kchambers' es del and including a pivoted hammer, `a recipscribed.

12. automatic .rifle comprisn a barrel, a stock, .ahollow receiver there etween, mechanism for feedingfcartridges into and withdrawing the same from said barrel, said mechanism including; `an actuating mem# ber, a breech bolt structure adapted to effecty such movements of the cartridges and means.

including an--engageable-toothed .part and lpawll operatively connecting said member l and-breech bolt structure whereby to actuk ate the latter in only one' direction.

' 13. An lautomatic rifle. comprising a bar rel, a stock, a 'hollow :receiveri there mechanismfor feeding cartridges into land withdrawing the' same'from said barrel, said mechanism including; an actuating rack, fa

.reciprocable breech bolt adapted to effect such movements of the cartridges, a crank shaft for reciprocatlng said bolt, means; 1n

rack .and .shaft,.and a lever norma structing the. movement of said shaftbut adapted to be engaged b y-said rack and moved to its releaslng posltion.

14. An automatic rifle comprisin a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver there etween, mechanism for feeding cartridges into and withdrawing the same from said barrel, said mechanism including; a piston chamber in communication with said barrel, a piston therein, an actuating rack connected with said piston and adapted to be moved in one direction by the pressure of the discharged gases a ainst said piston, a sprin foimoving sai rack in the opposite irectlon, a reciprocable breech bolt adapted to effect such movements of the cartridges, .a shaft,

va bevel gear provided with a peripheral projection loosely mounted on said shaft and operatively connected with said rack, a disk ing cartridges into and withdrawing thel iixedto saidshaft, a pawl on said disk adapted 1torbe engaged ;byt said projection,

means connecting said geanand disk dur-' ingmovement of sald rack in onlyy one di-v rectipn,I and a crank ,upon said shaft and connected with said breechbolt. v

15. An automatic riie comprisin a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver there etween, mechanism including a cylinder for feedsame from said barrel, a magazine tending to force cartrldges into said cyllnder, and

etween,

piston, a spring means. carried by the latter for obstructing .the passage of cartridges thereto froml said l l magazine said mechanism including; an. 1

la'ctuatingmembers a reciprocable breech boltadapted to effect such passage of thel cartridges to the barrel, together lwith' l means operatively connecting. said member andl breech bolt. .y

16. In an automatic rifle the combination of a stock, a barrel, a hollow receiver connecting the same,fmechanism carried by the latter .for firing a cartridge in lsaid barrel rocable trigger bar, a safety catchl and .a i

trigger catch both. pivoted to said bar, said hammerbeing :fashioned with sears adapt4 ed to coact with said catches respectively wherebyisuccessively-tohold said trigger in y y y y communication with' said barrel, a hollow receiver, a cylinder having chambers adapt ed to register'with said barrel, a.piston in sald duct, a piston rod connected with saidl 4.piston and extending 'into said receiver, said rod 'being adapted. to. be actuated by the pressure of the explosive gases against said for returning said rodand piston to startingposition, amagazine: for

Amoving cartridgesinto said cylinder and disposed at an angle to Said barrel, a breech bolt adapted to transfer cartridges between said cylinder and barrel, and mechanism ineimittently connecting said rod and breech o t. 18. In an automatic rifle the combination of a barrel, a stock formed with a duct in communication with said barrel, a hollow receiver therebetween, a cylinder having chambers adapted to register with said barrel, a piston in said duct, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending into said receiver, sald rod being adapted to be actuated by the pressure of the explosive gases against said piston, a spring for returning said rod and piston to starting position, a carrier operatively connected with said rod for shoving cartridges from said cylinder into said barrel, manually operable means for alsoactuating saidrod agalnst the action of 'said spring, a iring rod movable both with and independently of said carrier, anda hammer adapted to engage, and be engaged by, said firing rod.

19. In an automatic rifle the combination of a barrel, a stock formed with a duct in communication with said barrel, a hollow receiver, a cylinder having a chamber adapted to register with said barrel, a piston in said duct, a piston rod connected to sald piston and extending into said receiver,

thereof. n

20. In an automatic riile the combination y ofa stock, a barrel, a hollow receiver therebetween, a cylindrical bore in communication with said barrel, a piston fitted in said bore, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending into said receiver, said rod being adapted to be actuated by the pressure of the explosive gases a ainst said iston, a spring for returning sai rod and piston to starting position, a cylinder revoluble in said receiver and adapted to' move cartridges into line behind said barrel, a breech bolt adapted to transfer cartridges between said cylinder ,and barrel, and mechanism includin a shaft and a pair of parts both revolu le about said shaft and controlled by the movement of said rod for intermittently actuating both cylinder and bolt.

21. In an automatic rifle the combination of a stock, a barrel, a hollow receiver therebetween, a cylindrical borein communication with said barrel, a piston tted in said l bore, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending into said receiver, said rod being adapted to be actuated by the pressure of the explosive gases against said piston, a spring for returning said rod and piston to starting position, a cylinder revoluble in said breech structure and havingl cartridge chambers adapted to move in line behind said barrel, a reciprocable breech bolt adapted to transfer cartridges between said barrel and different chambers of said cylinder p during its reverse movements, mechanism including a cam operatively connecting said rod and breech bolt; controlled by .the movement of said rod for actuating said bolt and a device actuated by said cam for automatically turning said cylinder when said bolt reaches the limit of its withdrawal movement.

22. In an automaticl rifle the combination of a hollow receiver, a barrel and a stock each secured thereto, a cylinder revolubly mounted in said receiver and having cartridge chambers movable behind-said barrel, a magazine adapted to discharge cartridges into the chambers of said cylinder, a device for turning said cylinder through a predetermined arc, a breech bolt reciprocal behind said cylinder and in lin'e with said barrel, said bolt being adapted to shove cartridges from the chambers of said cylinder into said barrell and to withdraw cartridges from said barrel, said device adapted to be intermittently actuatedwhen said bolt reaches the limit of its withdrawal movement, mechanism including a crank for reciprocating said bolt and including a part `for synchronously actuating said device, and means for operating said mechanism andincluding a piston exposed to the pressure of the discharged gases. v

23. In an automatic rifle the combination of a hollow receiver, a barrel and a stockV eachA secured thereto, a cartridge carrier.

movable behind said barrel, a magazine adapted to discharge cartridges into said carrier, a device for moving said carrier, a breechv bolt reciprocable behind said carrier and in line with said barrel, said bolt being adapted to shove cartridges from said carrier into said barrel and to withdraw cartridges from 'sa-id barrel during its reverse movements respectively, irreversible mechanism including a crank for reciprocating said bolt and a part for synchronously actuating said device, and means' for operating said mechanism and including a spring controlled piston exposed to 'the pressure of the discharged gases said mechanism being adapted to functionate during the movement of said piston in only one direction.

24. In an automatic rifle the combination draw cartridges from said barrel, mechanism including a crank for reciprocating said bolt and a part rotatable with said crank and adapted to actuate said device at the' moment of one of its dead center positions of said crank, and means operating in response to the pressure of the explosive gases for actuating said mechanism.

25. In an automatic rifie the combination of a hollow receiver, a barrel and a stock 4each secured thereto, a cylinder revolubly mounted in said structure-and having cartridge chambers movable behind said barrel, a magazine adapted to discharge cartridges into the chambers of said cylinder, a device for turning said cylinder through a predetermined arc, a. breech bolt reciprocal behind said cylinder and in line with said barrel, said bolt being adapted to shove cartridges from the chambers of said cylinder into said barrel and to withdrawV cartridges from said barrel during its reverse movements respectively, said device adapted to functionate when said bolt reaches the limit of its withdrawal movement, a piston chamof a hollowreceiver, a barrel and a stock bei' carried by said barrel and in communication therewith, a piston therein, a rod connected to saidpiston, a shaft in s aidreceiver, gearing connected with said rod, means for connecting said gearing and shaft and adapted to functionate during one d1- rection of movement of .said rod, means' 1ncluding a crank for connecting said shaft and bolt, and a part carried'by said shaft for moving said device in timed relation to the movement of'said bolt. v

`26. An automatic riie comprising a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, automatically operating mechanism within said receiver for loading, firing and ejecting, said mechanism including a revolving cylinder provided with chambers adapted successively to f register with said barrel, a plurality of magazines adapted completely to discharge successively into correspondingly dierently assumed positions by said chambers respectively, means for successively ejecting cartridges from said chambers, the arrangea ment being such that each in turn discharges all of its cartridges intothe emptied chambers of said cylinder as they move into registering position therewith.

27. A n automatic rie comprising a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, automatically operating mechanism within said receiver for loading, iiring and ejecting, said mechanism including a revolving cylinder provided with chambers adaptedA successively to register with said barrel a plurality of magazines adapted to discharge into correspoi'idingly assumed positions by said chambers respectively, and automatically operating means including guides for ejecting cartridges from said cylinder chamber which is next beyond said barrel with reference to the direction of revolution of such chamber, and springs in each magazine whereby each in turn may discharge all of its cartridges into the emptied chambers of said cylinder as they move into registering position therewith, and means for limiting the -entry tothe confines of an empty chamber of more than one cartridge.

28. In an automatic rifle the combination of a stock, a barrel, a hollow receiver connecting the same, mechanism carried by the latter for firing a cartridge in. said barrel and including; a reciprocable firing rod provided with a lateral projection, a hammer adapted to engage and to be engaged by said projection, said hammer being fashioned with two sears, a safety catch adapted to` engage one Sear when said hammer is moved by the recoil of said projection, a trigger catch adapted to engage the other Sear, and a trigger device for controlling the position of both of said catches.

29. An automatic rifle comprising, a barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver, mechanism within said structure for loading and eject- Larmes ing cartridges, said mechanism including;

.a movable cartridge carrier adapted successively to bring cartridges in line with said barrel, a member for shoving such alined cartridge into the barrel, a part upon said member for withdrawing the cartridge from the barrel into said carrier, an actuating bar adapted to be moved in one direction by the pressure of discharged gases, a spring for eiecting the return movement of said bar, a shaft mounted in said receiver, a bevel gear loose upon said shaft and operatively connected with said bar so as to be reversely rotated during the reciprocating movement thereof, said gear being provided with a ratchet tooth, a disk xed to said shaft, a pawl upon said disk adapted to be engaged by said ratchet tooth during the movement of said bar in one direction, a reciprocable structurev for actuating said breech bolt and a crank operatively connecting said structure and shaft.

' 30. An automatic riie comprisingA a barrel, a hollow receiver provided interiorly with a slideway, mechanism within said structure for loading and ejecting cartridges, said mechanism including; a movable cartridge carrier adapted successively to bring cartridges in line with said barrel, a breech bolt reciprocable upon said slide- Way for shoving such alined cartridge into the barrel, a part upon said member for withdrawing the cartridge from the barrel to said carrier, an actuating rack bar adapted to be moved in one direction by the pressure of discharged gases, a spring for effecting the return movement of said bar, a shaft mounted in said receiver, gearing operatively connecting ,said bar and shaft, a crank operatively connecting said shaft and bolt, during one direction of movement of said bar.- ,.1

31. An automatic riile comprising a' barrel, a stock, a hollow receiver therebetween, mechanism including reciprocable and rota- 110 table parts for feeding cartridges into and withdrawing the same from said barrel, means whereby some of said parts are reciprocated intermittently and a device initially obstructing the movement of one of said ro- 115 tatable parts but adapted presentlyv to be actuated by a reciprocating part and moved to its releasing position.

32. A un of the character described comprisinga arrel, a magazine mechanism in- 120 cluding a cylinder having cartridge chambers and adapted to transfer cartridges from said magazine to said barrel, each of said chambers being fashioned with a groove, means for shoving a cartridge from said ma azine 125 into one of the chambers of said cy inder, and spring devices occupying said grooves each-adapted to be so actuated by the movement of a cartridge from said magazine into its particular chamber as to obstruct the en- 130 try ofl a succeeding cartridge into the'consaid chamber being fashioned with a groove,

means for shovin a cartridge from said magazine into sai chambersa andl a Spring device tiltably mounted in .saidgroove an ,adapted to have one end tilted by the engagement ofa cartridge being shoved from .'Said magazine whereby its other end obstructs the entry of a succeeding cartridge into the contines of said chamber..

34. An automatic riiie comprising a barrel, a stock, mechanism including a cartridge chamber for feeding cartridges into and withdrawing the same from said barrel, a magazine tendin to force a cartridge into said chamber, an a device movably carried by a wall of the'latter for obstructing the passage of a cartridge thereto from said magazine said device being movable to its obstructing position by the entry of a, cartridge into Saidchamber.

35. A11 automatic rifle comprising a barrel, a stock, mechanism including a 'cartridge chamber for feeding cartridges into and withdrawing the same from said barrel, a magazine tending to force a cartridge into Said chamber, and a tippin l ried by the latter as norma y t o permitbf the entry of a cartridge from said magazine into said chamber, one part of said de vice being adapted to be engaged by a cartridge inserted in said chamber whereby Vanother part of the device obstructs the passage of another cartridge from said magazine said device being movable to its obstructing position.

36. An automatic rifle comprising a barrel, a hollow receiver, automatically operating mechanism within said receiver for loading, firing and ejecting, said mechanism including a structure provided with a chamber adapted to register with said barrel, a magazine adapted to discharge into said chamber,

said structure being fashioned with a groove,` said receiver being fashioned with an opening and a stationary guide occupying said groove and adapted to be engaged by the exploded cartridge to lift the same from its chamber and cause its gravitational fall through said opening, and means for shoving cartridges from said magazine into the emptied chamber as it reaches a registering position therewith. A

37. A gun comprisinga barrel, a hollow receiver, mechanism within said receiver for loading, firing and ejecting, said mechanism including a chamber adapted to register with said' barrel, a magazine adapted to discharge into said chamber, said device so car structure being fashionedy with an annular i groove,lsaid receiver being ashined with an opening 'and a guide occupying said groovegsloping downwardly toward said opening and adapted to be engaged by the exploded cartridge to lift the same from its chamber and cause its gravitational fall through saidopening, and meansfor Shovy ing zcartridges from said'magazine into the emptied chamber as it reaches a registering position therewith. e 'Y 38. An automatic rifle comprising a barrel, a hollow receiver, a magazine, a cartridge carrier adapted to receive cartridges from said magazine and move them into position behind the barrel, a reciprocable actuating device, a breech bolt for shoving cartridges from said carrier into said barrel and for returning them from the barrel to said carrier, and mechanism for connecting said bolt and device including two parts one of which is adapted to move alone during the actuating movement in one direc' tion and to be locked with so as to carry the other part along with it during the reciprocal movement in the opposite direction.

39. An automatic rie comprising a barl with so as to turn the other part along with it during the reciprocal movement in the opposite direction.

40. An automatic rifle comprising a barrel, a hollow receiver, a magazine, acartridge carrier adapted to receivecartridges from said magazine and move them into position behind the barrel, a reciprocable breech bolt for shoving cartridges from said carrier into said barrel and for returning them from the barrel to said carrier, and mechanism for operating said bolt including two parts one of which is adapted one to turn alone during the reciprocal movement in one direction and to be locked with so as 'to turn the other part along with vit during the reciprocal movement in the position behind the barrel, a reciprocable breech bolt for shoving cartridges from said carrier into said barrel and for returning them from the barrel to said carrier, a shaft, two rotatable parts loose and ixed to said shaft respectively, the loosely mounted of said parts being adapted to rotate idly upon said shaft during the reciprocal movement in one direction and to be locked with so as to rotate the other working part and said shaft along with it during the reciprocal movement in the opposite direction, an automatically operated device for obstructing the turning movement of such other part during a certain stage of the actuation, a crank connecting said shaft and bolt, and means for rotating said loosely mounted part in reversed directions.

4t2. An automatic rifle comprising a bar`u rel, a hollow receiver, a magazine, a cylinder adapted to recelve cartridges from said magazine and move them into position behindv the barrel, a reciprocable breech bolt for shovn cartridges from said cylinder into said iarrel and for 'returning them from the barrel to said cylinder, a shaft, two rotatable parts loose and fixed to said shaft respectively, the loosely mounted otI said parts being adapted to move idly upon said shaft during the reciprocal movement in one direction and to be locked with so as to rotate the other working part during the reciprocal movement in the opposite direction, a crank connecting said shaft and bolt, means for rotating said looselyl mounted 'part in reversed. direction and mechanism 

